Fine autofocus adjustment on D700 - worthwhile?

[PeterAit]

I just learned that I can run tests and set a fine autofocus adjustment for each of my lenses. How likely is this to make any visible difference? I understand that the only way to know for sure is to run the tests, but I'd like to know the experiences of others. My lenses are a mix of Nikkor and non-Nikkor. Thanks!

[RobSaecker]

There is so much individual variation in camera bodies and lenses that you're really not going to know until you try with yours, and the tests aren't that difficult. But FWIW, on my D7000, a couple of my lenses still back focus slightly even with the maximum adjustment applied. Unadjusted, that level of back focus was glaringly obvious in real world pictures.

[JeanMichel]

Hi.

It will make a difference.
I have a Canon 5D2 and all my three lenses benefitted from doing micro-adjustment. The LensAlign tool (reviewed and advertised on this site) would be ideal for this adjustment. I cheated and sort of duplicated the setup with a fresh Canadian five dollar bill and a stainless steel ruler or a typographer's leading gauge. I still intend to buy the LensAlign do do future checks and adjustments.

Jean-Michel

[francois]

I agree with Jean-Michel above, micro-adjustments are really useful if you use auto-focus. Bart van der Wolf has posted a method to adjust your lenses: http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4708

I prefer the Lens Align tool, though. A new cheaper version (MK II) of Lens Align has been released by Michael Tapes (here: http://tinyurl.com/6dfb98w).